United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
FACT SHEET
Helping People Help the Land
RESEEDING BURNED AREAS FOR HOME OWNERS
Where Needed?
Revegetation of burned areas with grass or a mixture of grass and forbs will help protect the soil from erosive winter rains. Grass or a mixture of grass and forb seed can be planted in areas that do not have enough good seed remaining under the ash.
Which Plants?
When Selecting Plants, consider the depth and types of soil, average annual rainfall, availability of seed, reseeding
ability, and the amount of growth produced. The most commonly used plants are listed below:
Blando Brome is a winter growing, self-seeding annual grass which is naturally found in California grasslands. It is
adapted to climatic variations and grows 20 inches or taller on better soils. It can be planted with other annual grasses in
any proportion. It should not be over 70 percent of a mix with annual legumes and should not be planted with flowers or
perennial grasses. Average annual precipitation should be at least 12 inches.
Cucamonga Brome is a fast, winter growing, upright, early maturing, native grass that grows 20 inches or taller if
fertility is good. Best suited as a quick cover on droughty, sandy, or low fertility soils below 3,000 feet. Provides quick
growth in the fall. Matures earlier (April) and is more tolerant of droughty conditions than Blando. It should not be over
70 percent of the mix with annual legumes. Average annual precipitation should be at least 12 inches.
Zorro Annual Fescue is a low-volume, winter growing, self-seeding, annual grass that grows from 10 to 24 inches
high. It is a common naturalized plant of California grasslands and matures earlier than Blando brome. Zorro is very
drought tolerant and has provided excellent erosion control on low-fertility and acidic (pH 4.5) soils. It is compatible
with perennial native grasses and shrubs. Zorro may constitute up to 70 percent of a mix if used with annual legumes, and
up to 25 percent with flowers or perennial grasses. Zorro will appear weedy if used with flowers, but will not be overly
competitive. Average annual precipitation should be at lest 10 inches.
Hykon Rose Clover is an annual, reseeding legume for well drained droughty soils which are slightly acidic (pH 5.5
to 7.0). It grows 10 to 15 inches high, matures early and is preferred for critical erosion areas. Its ability to make its
own nitrogen makes it well suited for low fertility soils and it will help fertilize reseeding grasses. The seed needs to be
inoculated before planting. Average annual precipitation should be at least 10 inches.
Barley is an annual, winter growing, feed grain that grows from 10 to 36 inches tall depending upon the variety. It is
meant to provide first-year stabilization and does not persist after the second season. Barley is vigorous and performs
well on disturbed areas and most soils including those with saline and alkali conditions. It establishes quickly and
adjusts its growth and tillering to moisture and fertility. Its fibrous root system effectively stabilizes soils. It should be
mowed to 3-4 inches high after maturity for fire hazard control. Preference should be given to short-stemmed varieties.
Deerweed is a suberect, bushy, native perennial up to 4 feet in height, with green slender branches, compound leaves
and yellowish flowers. It occurs on dry slopes and seems to come in after wildfire burns. It is a good honey plant and
is considered good food and cover for wildlife. It is wild collected and sometimes seed is not available. Seed needs
scarification for good germination and establishment. It is usually planted in a mixture with less aggressive species.
Annual Ryegrass is a fast growing, robust upright annual grass that grows 24 inches or more if fertility is good. It is
short lived (two to three years), tolerates heavier textured soils and pH of 6 to 8.5 and uses most of the available nutrients.
Rye grass is very competitive and should not comprise more than 50 percent of a mix. Do not plant it with perennial
grasses.
September 2013
www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov
California FS-51A
Seeding Rate
lbs/Acre
Adjusted Rate
lbs/Acre
Seeding Rate
lbs/10,000 Sq. Ft. Lot
Seeding Guide
Recommended Plants and Mixtures
2. Blando brome (Bromus mollis)
18
4.0
3. Cucamonga brome (Bromus carinatus)3
10
2.3
4. Zorro annual fescue (Vulpia myuros)
12
2.75
5. Cucamonga brome (Bromus carinatus) and
Hykon rose clover (Trifolium hirtum)3
10
9
2.3
2.0
6. Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
7. Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorirum)
1
1. Zorro annual fescue (Vulpia myuros)
Hykon rose clover (Trifolium hirtum)
Deerweed (Lotus scoparius)
California poppy (Eschschozia californica)
8
3
4.52
2
0.5
125
8
2.0
0.7
0.5
0.12 (2 oz)
29.0
2.0
Recommended Seeding Rates are based on uncoated seed and Pure Live Seed content (percent purity multiplied by percent
germination of at least 80 percent.
2
Increase rate by 1.5 if seed coated by the supplier with inoculants or other materials. No adjustment is needed when you inoculate
the clover seed at the site.
3
One or more of the following native plants can be added to the mixture: California poppy ½ lb., Annual lupines 1 lb., California
buckwheat 1–2 lbs.
1
Planting
Methods of Seeding include broadcasting by hand, broadcasting with a hand operated seeder, hydroseeding, and seeding
by air. Most home owners and small landowners will find broadcasting to be the most economical method. Hydroseeding
requires roads for equipment access and a nearby water supply. Aerial seeding is used on large acreages.
When to Seed
Timing of seeding in critical for success and will vary with location and elevation. Ideally, seeding should be done before
winter rains pack the burn ash. Timeliness of rains will affect how well the plants will grow, and at cooler temperatures
plants germinate and grow more slowly. As a guide: recommended seeding times in Northern California are October
through November and February, and recommended seeding times in Southern California are November 15 through
January 15.
Exposed earth areas, such as roads and firebreaks and steep embankments, should be protected with straw mulch at the
rate of 2 tons per acre and anchored by punching with shovels or crimping equipment. A 74- pound bale of straw would
cover 800 square feet.
Fire Danger
Reducing Fire Hazards after the annual grasses and clovers mature in the spring needs to be planned. Safety Experts
recommend clearing at least a 30-foot space around structures down to ground level and another 70 feet beyond that
reduced to below 18 inches in height. Wait until the grasses and clovers set their seed before mowing or clipping. Using
a lawn mower will produce a safe zone around structures. Mowing to a three or four inch height with a nylon filament
weed whip or similar equipment will produce a “safe zone” in the 30 to 70 foot zone. Consider mowing around shrubs
and trees beyond 100 feet. The resulting straw mulch will provide erosion protection against early rains.
Where to Get Help
Technical Assistance is available from the U.S. Department off Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service,
local Resource Conservation District, county Cooperative Extension Service, and California Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection offices.
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